Regional Roadway System Visioning Study

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In 2009-2010, Dakota County partnered with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Metropolitan Council, the Federal Highway Administration, and the cities of Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake to conduct this area transportation system study in northern Dakota County.

One of the largest remaining undeveloped tracts on the I‐494/I-694 beltway exists today in northeast Eagan and northwest Inver Grove Heights, comprising about 4,300 acres of planned development based on the Comprehensive Plans of the two cities. Development of this 4,300-acre area will generate an estimated 140,000 additional daily trips, including the nearly 200-acre mixed use development associated with the Minnesota Vikings site. In addition, anticipated growth in Dakota County beyond the immediate study area in cities such as Rosemount and Farmington, will also contribute to demands on existing area roadways.

The recommendations of the Regional Roadway System Visioning Study identify how the transportation system will need to be changed in the future to handle the growth currently planned in Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, and surrounding communities.

Through the study process, a number of roadway system improvement scenarios were developed and evaluated. The end result was a long-term vision for roadway improvements, including new roadway connections, lane additions to existing roadways, and system interchange needs. This study did not identify construction timetables or identify a specific funding plan for improvements.

Since the study was completed, development envisioned by the city Comprehensive Plans has begun to occur. This includes several residential and mixed use housing developments in Inver Grove Heights and the redevelopment of the Delta Headquarters site in Eagan by the Minnesota Vikings. Dakota County and its study partners have been implementing study recommendations and continue to plan for additional improvements according to this plan and commensurate with the progression of new development. Links to recent and current activities in the study area are also included below.

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